Art Education - Master of Arts

Program Total Credits: 36

Barbara Suplee
bsuplee@uarts.edu
Chairperson, Director
215-717-6053

The Master of Arts in Art Education program at The University of the Arts is designed to develop the studio, intellectual, and professional education background of art educators, enabling them to meet advanced professional goals.

Coordinating professional education courses with work in liberal arts, graduate research, and a concentration in studio arts that include emerging digital and alternative media, the MA in Art Education Program offers custom-designed programs of study to meet individual needs. A series of graduate education seminars address historical and contemporary issues in art theory, criticism, and education. Drawing on the wide range of studio departments, nearly one-third of the program is reserved for work in one or more studio areas, museum studies, liberal arts, art therapy, or educational media depending upon the student’s particular background and career needs. The independent thesis or graduate project, which is normally completed in two semesters, may take the form of either an academic research paper or a graduate project in an appropriate format.

Designed for both established and new teachers, the degree may satisfy credit accrual requirements for permanent certification or lead to other career advancement. Graduates have also found the program relevant to positions in museum education, college teaching (especially junior college), arts administration, educational media, and other related fields. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with no fewer than 45 credits in studio work and 12 credits in art history with a “B” or better cumulative average. A teaching certificate is not required. Students not holding degrees in the visual arts can expect to complete 18 credits of foundation studies and/or up to 45 credits of studio work, depending upon faculty review of their portfolio.

The degree may also be taken in conjunction with the Certification Program in Art Education, thereby allowing the student to earn a master’s degree plus Certification. The difference between this combination and the MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching), is the concentration in graduate studio work and the research and thesis required for the MA degree. Full-time students may complete the MA program in one academic year plus a summer or three semesters. Part-time students may take coursework over as many as five years. Depending on the needs of the individual student, professional education courses and selected studio arts and liberal arts courses may be taken in the evenings and summers.